Turkmenistan E-Visa: Requirements and How to Apply
Turkmenistan launched its e-visa system on 1 October 2026, introducing an electronic route for visa applications. For tourists, the relevant category is e-TU. Here is what has changed and what to prepare before you apply.
What Changed: The Old Procedure and the New E-Visa
Previously, tourist travellers generally arranged a government-approved Letter of Invitation (LOI) through a local operator. The approved LOI then supported a conventional visa application at a Turkmen embassy or visa issuance on arrival at Ashgabat International Airport.
Under the e-visa procedure, the application is handled electronically. Turkmenistan’s amended migration law states that arranging and issuing a separate invitation is not required for an electronic visa. This removes the separate LOI stage for a tourist e-visa. The authorities still review the application and decide whether to approve it.
The LOI exemption applies to the electronic visa procedure. Other visa routes and travel purposes can have different supporting requirements.
E-Visa Categories and Eligibility
The system includes three categories:
-e-TU: tourism.
-e-BS: business.
-e-HM: humanitarian purposes.
Choose the category that matches your purpose. Business and humanitarian applications can require a company invitation or an organisation’s supporting letter.
Check eligibility for your nationality, passport type and planned trip before applying. An e-visa is still a visa: submitting an application or paying a fee does not constitute approval. Contact Meridian if you need help confirming the appropriate application route.
Documents and Information to Prepare
Prepare the following:
-A passport with at least two blank visa pages, valid for at least six months after the e-visa’s expiry date.
-A clear colour scan or photograph of the complete passport identity page, including the machine-readable lines at the bottom.
-A recent colour passport photograph on a white background, meeting ICAO standards.
-Your own working email address for verification, application updates and delivery of the approved e-visa.
-Accurate personal information, intended arrival and departure dates, and the planned method and point of entry.
Published tourist document guidance lists a travel itinerary or hotel confirmation, and medical insurance, as optional supporting documents. Keep these ready and follow any additional instructions for your application. We recommend comprehensive travel insurance for your trip.
How the Application Works
The official portal is evisa.migration.gov.tm. Confirm the available submission route before starting.
An agency-assisted application generally follows these steps:
1. Confirm your trip. Agree your itinerary, dates and entry and exit points with your operator, and check the application requirements for your passport.
2. Prepare the application. Provide the passport image, photograph and requested information. Your operator checks the documents and prepares the electronic application.
3. Verify your details. Open the link sent to your email, check the information and complete passport verification using your phone or computer camera when prompted.
4. Complete payment and submission. Pay the fee shown by the portal, or agree the payment arrangements with your operator. Ensure verification and final submission are completed.
5. Receive the decision. If approved, the e-visa is delivered by email. Check your name, passport number, travel dates and entry allowance before departure.
Processing Times and Fees
Published consular guidance dated 3 October 2026 lists review periods of:
Normal application: up to seven working days from receipt.
Urgent application: up to three working days from receipt.
Allow extra time for preparation and verification, and confirm the full turnaround with your operator. These periods should not be treated as a guaranteed departure deadline.
The official e-visa fee is calculated during the application and displayed before payment. Published portal guidance states that fees are quoted in US dollars and bank transaction charges are additional. Confirm the current amount for your application.
Meridian’s tour price does not include the government visa fee. Ask us for a clear breakdown of the tour price, e-visa assistance and applicable government or arrival charges when requesting your quotation.
Validity, Entries and Arrival
Published consular guidance describes e-visas valid for up to one month, issued for one or two entries, with no extension. Your issued visa determines the exact authorised dates and number of entries. Plan your arrival and departure within those conditions.
Confirm that your planned airport or land crossing can be used for your journey. Land borders can close at short notice, and restricted areas may require separate permission.
Carry your original passport and keep both a digital and a printed copy of the e-visa available.
Do You Still Need a Local Operator and Guide?
Plan your tourist visit with a local operator. Published tourism guidance requires sightseeing to be accompanied by travel agency staff and to follow an approved programme.
Agree your guide or escort arrangements in advance, and ask your operator to handle any itinerary changes that need reporting.
The e-visa does not replace registration of your stay or permissions for restricted areas. Confirm the registration arrangements with your hotel or tour operator.
Meridian can organise private and group programmes, guides, accommodation, transport and the relevant travel arrangements.
Plan Your Trip with Meridian Tourism DMC
Based in Ashgabat, Meridian Tourism DMC helps travellers and partner agencies plan visits to Turkmenistan with e-visa assistance and local tour arrangements.
Send us your nationality, intended dates, number of travellers and preferred entry point for a personalised itinerary and current application information.
Information checked on 9 October 2026. Requirements and portal arrangements can change; confirm the conditions for your passport and journey before applying.
